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Akdemir EY, Odia Y, Hall MD, Mehta MP, Kotecha R. An Update on H3K27M-altered Diffuse Midline Glioma: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in Clinical Practice. Pract Radiat Oncol 2024:S1879-8500(24)00094-8. [PMID: 38704025 DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG H3K27-altered) is a relatively newly-designated WHO entity which primarily affects the midline structures of the central nervous system (CNS), including the brainstem (predominantly pontine region), thalamus, midbrain, or spinal cord, and primarily affects children and young adults. Despite the proximity of these tumors to eloquent areas in the CNS, novel stereotactic approaches have facilitated the ability to obtain tissue diagnoses without significant morbidity, providing molecular diagnostic information in more than half of patients. Conventionally fractionated radiation therapy to a total dose of 54-60 Gy in 27-30 fractions and 24 Gy in 12 fractions play a crucial role in the definitive treatment of these tumors in the primary and salvage settings, respectively. Hypofractionated regimens may allow for accelerated treatment courses in selected patients without jeopardizing disease control or survival. The decision to add concurrent or adjuvant systemic therapy mainly relies on the physicians' experience without solid evidence in the literature in favor of any particular regimen. Recently, novel agents, such as ONC201 have demonstrated promising oncologic outcomes in progressive/recurrent tumors and are currently under investigation in ongoing randomized trials. Given the scarcity of data and well-established guidelines due to the rare nature of the disease, we provide a contemporary overview on the molecular underpinnings of this disease entity, describe the role of radiotherapy and systemic therapy, and present practice management principles based on the published literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyub Yasar Akdemir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida
| | - Yazmin Odia
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida; Department of Neuro-Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida
| | - Matthew D Hall
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Minesh P Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Rupesh Kotecha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.
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Tosi U, Souweidane M. Diffuse Midline Gliomas: Challenges and New Strategies in a Changing Clinical Landscape. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:219. [PMID: 38201646 PMCID: PMC10778507 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) was first described by Harvey Cushing, the father of modern neurosurgery, a century ago. Since then, the classification of this tumor changed significantly, as it is now part of the broader family of diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a heterogeneous group of tumors of midline structures encompassing the entire rostro-caudal space, from the thalamus to the spinal cord. DMGs are characterized by various epigenetic events that lead to chromatin remodeling similarities, as two decades of studies made possible by increased tissue availability showed. This new understanding of tumor (epi)biology is now driving novel clinical trials that rely on targeted agents, with finally real hopes for a change in an otherwise unforgiving prognosis. This biological discovery is being paralleled with equally exciting work in therapeutic drug delivery. Invasive and noninvasive platforms have been central to early phase clinical trials with a promising safety track record and anecdotal benefits in outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Tosi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mark Souweidane
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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